How we got here

The technology that underpins self-driving cars has been developed during years of careful research and experimentation. We are not newcomers – we have been working in the field of autonomous driving for the last decade. Our detailed research and continual technical advances mean we are perfectly placed to lead the self-driving revolution.

2006

Collision warning with brake support – detects an imminent rear end collision and readies the brakes for useAdaptive cruise control – keeps the car a set distance from the car in frontLane departure warning – alerts the driver if they wander over lane markings

2007

Collision warning with auto brake – detects an imminent rear end collision and applies the brakes if necessary

2008

City Safety – uses infra-red detection, LIDAR, to help the driver in low speeds avoid colliding with the car in front, by applying the brakes if necessary

2009

Start of Safe Road Trains for The Environment project (SARTRE)– pioneering project to develop platooning of autonomous cars on highways

2010

Adaptive cruise control with queue assist – enhanced ACC that works in slow-moving traffic and will continue to work when traffic comes to a haltCollision warning with full auto brake – uses radar and camera to alert the driver to an imminent rear end collision, applying full braking power if necessaryPedestrian detection with full auto brake – detects pedestrians in the road and applies full braking power if a collision is imminent

2012

Traffic sign information – recognises road signs and displays them on the dash. Links to speed warning to advise of legal limits.Park Assist Pilot – locates a parking space large enough and steers the car into it. The driver retains control of the gears and vehicle speed.Cross-traffic alert – detects cars crossing the driver’s path when reversing out of a parking space or drivewayLane-keeping aid – steers the car to keep in laneLane change merge aid (BLIS) – checks for fast-moving vehicles up to 70m behind the car and in the blind spotCyclist detection with full auto brake – spots cyclists and applies full braking power if a collision is imminentActive high-beam control – automatically dips main beam for oncoming vehiclesSARTRE concept on public roads – autonomous platooning Volvos successfully and safely tested on open roads

2013

Autonomous parking concept demonstrated – a self-parking car controlled by mobile phone without the need for a driver in the carAnnouncement of the Drive Me project – the world’s first large-scale trial of self-driving cars to start in 2017

2015

Pilot Assist – combines lane keeping and adaptive cruise control into one function to keep the car in lane and a set distance from the vehicle in frontAuto brake at intersection – automatically brakes the car if the driver turns into the path of an oncoming vehicle